Covid but still a few ranch stories, including escaping horses!

May 27, 2023

Happy Saturday!

Here at the ranch we started Covid round two. Except this time ManChild was hit first on Sunday and I quickly followed suit Monday night. So glad it’s mostly a bad head cold version nowadays—although my 103+ temp was a bit over the top. Down to 100—101 or so today (Friday) but I’m still in bed. Bleh.

Before it hit, here’s what happened!

Saturday I had a birthday dinner for my dad. It was the first time ManChild, my aunt and uncle had met Dad’s fiancé so it held some special challenges. I figured it was best to just bring up the elephant in the room immediately by saying, “What can I get anyone to drink? Also, I’ve already had a quarter of an Ativan (like Xanax-takes the anxiety away) anyone else want some?”

😂

All in all a lovely time, a few tears shed by some of us for various reasons—to be expected.

I got out both mine and Mom’s Limoges china for the occasion and while I almost never use my serving dishes, this time I did and it was so pretty:

One of my favorite pics of Mom and ManChild when he was just three years old—she adored him--also, I have no idea what pics of her I've posted now, bear with me :-) :

Only a few things around the farm because I’ve been in bed all week:

Spiders!

I don’t know what this is but the goats loved it:

My dad brought over the 1950s dollhouse and plastic furniture that have been living in their attic for 40 years. My great grandparents bought it for their grandchildren (my mom, aunt, etc). My plan is to put it way on top of the super tall tv cabinets:

Brad bought me the BEST gluten free pasta the other day—farm animal shapes! Look at the little horse:

A client brought me these sweet flowers:

Some old pics from my previous farm—There is nothing happier than being surrounded by a pile of baby goats on a cold spring day:

Little Man in July pasture:

Little Man with a little client:

Thinking of painting this next:

I took this photo almost two years ago now. We had arrived in NC from CO and were waiting on pins and needles for the semi carrying our babies: 2 horses, a mini donkey, and 10 goats. First off was Wynter, the grey on the left, then Rayn, the grey on the right (with the fly mask on-don’t worry they can see out of them!) and finally our little donkey Sweetness was unloaded and brought into the pasture. Wynter and Rayn lifted their heads and all three ran to greet each other like the happy ending of the sappiest love story 🥰🥰

I already have the name, Welcome Home.

And while they look like sunshine and roses here they all got a little wild Thursday while B-rad was doing chores. When he was letting Rayn out, donkey escaped behind her. When he tried to put donkey back in, Wynter escaped and donkey escaped. He called me in a panic, “We are going to lose a horse! Wynter and donkey are headed to Linda’s!” Which is the other side of the ponds. Jeez. I stumbled out in my jammies just in time to see the two boys running over the land bridge between the two ponds. Wish I had gotten a pic of that! Annoying but beautiful! B-Rad had gotten Rayn back in the pasture by then and she was raising holy hell, running and calling to the boys.

B-Rad went tearing over to where the boys had stopped to visit some of the boarded horses which made them turn and head back toward me. Wynter was doing this beautiful, wild, neck arched, extended trot…and blowing like a dragon. Having been run over by a horse, I’m not wanting that to ever happen again. Catching a horse as big as Wynter in that heightened state would be like grabbing a tiger by the tail. Rather not.

Brad pulled up with halters and treats. More snorty dragon noises from the big boy. I pulled out the treat bucket and gave it a little shake. Snort. Blow. Whistle. “I’d rather be loose thanks.”

My Inner Voice said, “Click and treat.” I’ve done some clicker training with everyone in the farm so they all have the basics.

I said in a low voice, “Wynter.”

And he looked at me: click, treat.

“Hey buddy.”

He looked again: click, treat.

Fingertips touching his chest, “Backup.”

He did: click, treat.

Head lowered and his whole body softened and calmed. I had him back up again and he was fully with me. Good boy! Once he was on his way to the pasture, donkey followed along easily.

Never a dull moment ;-)

Also, there seems to be a lot of back and forth about these two magazine covers-with some backlash on Martha because she’s had work. And I just want to say, when will we stop tearing each other down over the choices we make for our own bodies?